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Environmental monitoring results from the third periodic evaluation of progress towards the objective of the OSPAR radioactive substances strategy*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2010

J.P. Gwynn*
Affiliation:
Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Tromsø, Norway
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Abstract

The general objective of the OSPAR radioactive substances strategy is to prevent pollution of the maritime area from ionising radiation through progressive and substantial reductions of discharges, emissions and losses of radioactive substances, so that concentrations in the environment are close to background for naturally occurring radioactive substances and close to zero for artificial radioactive substances. The third periodic evaluation of progress towards the objective of the OSPAR radioactive substances strategy concludes that, due to issues concerning the availability of reported data, it is not possible to come to firm conclusions as to whether the aims of the OSPAR radioactive substances strategy are currently being delivered. However, in general there is an indication of a reduction in average marine concentrations of selected radionuclides associated with the nuclear industry, while doses arising from these selected radionuclides in the OSPAR maritime area to humans are well within internationally recommended limits and are below the lowest levels at which any effects are likely to occur for marine biota.

Type
Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2010

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References

ERICA (2007) D-ERICA: An integrated approach to the assessment and management of environmental risk from ionising radiation, Final Deliverable, European Commission, 6th Framework, N. Beresford, J. Brown, D. Copplestone, J. Garnier-Laplace, B. Howard, C.M. Larsson, D. Oughton, G. Pröhl, I. Zinger (Eds). Contract No. FI6R-CT-2003-508847.
MARINA II (2003) European Commission, Update of the MARINA Project on the radiological exposure of the European Community from radioactivity in North European marine waters.
OSPAR (2009) Third Periodic Evaluation of Progress towards the Objective of the Radioactive Substances Strategy. OSPAR Commission, London, 2009. Publication 455/2009.